Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XXV - Chapter 5 The divine attributes concluded

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 5 Divine attributes.

My summary

Today we finish studying the attributes of God.

Firstly we learn about the justice of God as a phase of God's holiness.  There is discussion of both

(i) remunerative justice;

(ii) retributive justice.

Secondly we hear about the goodness of God, which includes his:

(i) benevolence;

(ii) mercy.

What grabbed me

I liked Shedd's response to the first objection to the doctrine of Divine benevolence: 'The chief objections to the doctrine of the Divine benevolence are the following: 1. The permission of sin. 2. The existence of suffering here upon earth. 3. The slow progress of redemption. Respecting the first, it is to be observed that the permission of sin has cost God more than it has man. No sacrifice and suffering on account of sin has been undergone by any man, that is equal to that which has been endured by incarnate God. This shows that God is not acting selfishly, in permitting sin. At the very time that he permits it, he knows that it will result in an infinite sacrifice on his part.'

God has been injured by sin far more than we ever have!

Next week's reading

Commence Chapter 6 The Divine Decrees by reading up to the paragraph beginning: 'The Divine decrees are divided into efficacious and permissive' (page 405 of my edition).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.